Kennedy Center board appeal challenges court order to strip Trump’s name

Kennedy Center board appeal moves to federal court

The board of trustees appointed by former President Donald Trump announced a Kennedy Center board appeal to overturn U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper’s order that strips the Trump name from the iconic Washington, D.C., performing‑arts venue.

Within hours the trustees filed a motion, citing procedural missteps and arguing the renaming decision exceeded statutory authority. Cooper’s ruling, upheld by a Reuters report, stemmed from a lawsuit lodged by Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Kennedy Center ex‑officio trustee.

“We are complying with the court’s order while evaluating all legal options to preserve this revitalization and recognize President Trump’s leadership,” spokesperson Roma Daravi told the AP News.

The trustees convened ↑ 2 times this week, drafting briefs that argue the board acted in good faith. The judge set a ↓ 1-day deadline for the signage removal, forcing the center to scrub the name from its website and social channels.

Critics warn the appeal could drag the controversy into the 2024 election cycle, while supporters see it as a test of presidential influence over cultural institutions. The debate echoes earlier disputes over naming rights that resurfaced during the pandemic era.

Awaiting a hearing, the Kennedy Center remains under pressure to balance legal compliance with donor expectations.

Correction: An earlier dispatch misstated the judge’s deadline as two days; the actual deadline is one day.

Reported by Eleanor Cross (Chief Washington Correspondent).